by Gary Hooser
While it may sound a bit corny, I believe every one of us wants to change the world for the better.
We each see the injustice, the pain, the hardship, and the ugliness, and each of us wants to help in some way.
Over time some become jaded and perhaps forget the earlier moments of idealism.
But deep down each of us knows in our heart and soul that we as individuals, have the power to make the world a better place – in big ways and in small.
Imagine if we each acted daily on that belief.
Imagine the combined power of each of us daily helping the elderly neighbor next door cut the grass or take out their trash.
What if we, on occasion took, some small amount of food down to the food bank, and/or made a $10 recurring financial contribution to a worthy cause?
How about if every single time we went for a walk – we made it a point to pick up litter instead of stepping over it?
Imagine that
Imagine the positive energy that would flow from taking one small step each day toward improving the world around us – every single day. Then multiply that by all of us.
Yes, of course, we have to put the oxygen mask on our own family members first, before we try to help others.
I get that, but I also believe that “we are all in this together”. At least that’s the creed I live by.
So, put that mask on your youngest, then turn to your neighbor and help them as well.
Then plant a tree, recycle your cans, paper, and food waste – and take ownership of your democracy by filling in that ballot that came in the mail.
Civic engagement and community service go hand-in-hand. Putting family first is a must but it’s not a valid excuse for neglecting the other.
We’re all busy. We all have bills to pay, health and family issues to deal with, etc.
However, we’re not so busy we can’t pick up litter when we’re outside, offer our neighbor a hand when they need it, or simply share a smile and kind word with a stranger over the counter.
Voting by mail takes 15 minutes every two years – max. If you’re not sure who to vote for, Google the candidates, ask a friend or neighbor whom you respect or visit https://garyhooser.blog/
Ditto to making the phone call or sending an email to your legislator or Councilmember a couple of times per year. It takes only a few minutes and the cumulative impact is potentially huge.
Voting, sending off that email testimony, helping your neighbor, picking up trash along the road, and other small acts of civic and community service are essential basic components of citizenship – but to move forward, we need that and more.
From those who can give more, we need more – more time, more fundraising help, more involvement in the community, and more participation in policy and politics.
You know who you are so please step up. Don’t wait to be dragged kicking and screaming down the aisle of community and civic service – step up and step forward now.
Our world desperately needs new leadership at all levels, public and private. We need leaders who share in the “We are all in this together” creed and who put the needs of people and the planet first – above greed and corporate profits.
If you’re interested, if you feel a calling, if you have roots in your community, if you have some track record of leadership, and perhaps you’re not sure and want to learn more – I’d be happy to possibly help or at the minimum share with you my experience working in the world of policy and politics.
GARY HOOSER is a former Hawaiʻi State Senator and Majority Leader.
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